Taking care of 193 million acres is no small feat. Our National Forests need our help to ensure they stay healthy and provide clean water, wildlife habitat, and amazing recreational opportunities. Every year, the NFF provides grants to local non-profit organizations to help implement projects that directly benefit our National Forest System. By focusing on action-orientated, on-the-ground projects, the NFF supports restoration initiatives that improve forest health and strengthen community’s ability to steward our National Forests and Grasslands.
In just the first half of our 2013 fiscal year, we’re thrilled to have provided more than$1.5 million for 57 grants to accomplish work in 36 different National Forests .
These projects will accomplish the following types of stewardship work:
- Trail improvements and maitenance,
- Wetland restoration,
- Volunteer events,
- Wilderness stewardships,
- Wildlife habitat enhancement, and
- Plant monitoring.
Our Matching Awards Program leverages conservation investments by offering challenge grants for stewardship activities benefitting National Forests and Grasslands. These conservation organizations then work with their local National Forest to accomplish on-the-ground restoration, community engagement, and monitoring activities.
Funds from the Wilderness Stewardship Challenge go to organizations that help the U.S. Forest Service meet management standards for Wilderness Areas. This program helps maintain and improve the character of some of our nation’s most pristine areas.
Thanks to our unique partnerships with ski areas and lodges, our Ski Conservation Fund and Forest Stewardship Fund provide opportunities for ski resort and lodge guests to support restoration projects on the National Forest they visit. The NFF matches these guest contributions to increase the restoration results achieved by the local conservation organizations that receive the grant funding.
